US And Brazil Advance Biometric Boarding Policies

In a sign of the times, airports and ports across the Americas are taking major steps toward a future where boarding a plane or a ship could be as simple as flashing a smile—or a fingerprint. Both the United States and Brazil have, within the last two weeks, unveiled sweeping proposals to expand the use of biometric data for travelers, sparking excitement about faster journeys but also raising pointed questions about privacy and data security.

On January 15, 2026, the U.S. government published a notice in the Federal Register that could mark a turning point in airport security. According to El Cronista, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is proposing that all travelers enrolled in its popular PreCheck program will be required, without exception, to provide biometric data. This includes not just fingerprints but also biometric identification for verifying identity, and the data may be used for continuous background and security risk assessments.

The TSA confirmed on January 24 that it is evaluating changes that would expand the use, storage, and retention of biometric data for PreCheck participants. The agency argues that this move aims to speed up airport processing and make security checks more efficient. "The biometric expansion aims to speed up airport processing and make security checks more efficient," TSA officials stated, as reported by El Cronista. But the proposal goes further: the TSA plans to share fingerprint data with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to expedite enrollment in the Global Entry program, all as part of a Department of Homeland Security strategy to unify the experience for so-called "trusted travelers."

But what does this mean in practice? For now, the changes only affect those who apply for or use TSA PreCheck—a program already known for letting travelers breeze through security with their shoes on and laptops in their bags. The system remains voluntary, with the public consultation period for comments open until March 16, 2026. Still, if the measure is finalized, PreCheck users will have to hand over their biometric data for use in ongoing security monitoring, not just at the time of application.

While the TSA touts the benefits of faster lines and more efficient security, some experts are urging caution. The expansion of biometric data usage, especially for ongoing monitoring, raises new questions about privacy and data protection. Technology security professionals have pointed out that unless robust safeguards are put in place, the risks to personal privacy could be significant. The TSA, for its part, emphasizes that travelers can submit public comments before the measure is finalized, underlining the voluntary nature of PreCheck enrollment.

Meanwhile, south of the equator, Brazil is charting its own ambitious course toward biometric boarding. On January 22, 2026, the National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) announced the creation of a technical interinstitutional committee in partnership with the Ministry of Ports and Airports and the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). Their mission: to implement a national biometric passenger identification program that would standardize boarding processes using facial recognition technology across Brazil’s maritime ports, river terminals, and airports, according to VisaHQ News.

The public consultation on Brazil’s draft "National Biometric Identification Policy" is open until February 20, 2026, giving industry stakeholders and the public a chance to weigh in. The policy is built on the back of successful pilot projects, such as the fully digital gates at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport and the "Paperless Port" single window system. Within 90 days of the final ordinance, the committee is expected to publish a detailed execution schedule.

Brazil’s approach is notable for its emphasis on governance and legal compliance. The federal IT provider SERPRO will manage the biometric databases, with explicit measures for audits and adherence to Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD). According to VisaHQ News, the authorities have highlighted three main objectives: reducing boarding lines and eliminating repeated document checks; strengthening security by linking live images with government databases; and reducing operational costs for airlines and terminal operators.

The policy also aims to bring Brazil in line with international best practices, specifically the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) One ID standard and the International Maritime Organization’s guidelines for passenger facilitation. For corporate mobility teams, biometric boarding promises to streamline crew changes and employee movements at major multimodal centers like Santos Port and São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport. However, companies are being advised to keep a close eye on privacy impact assessments and to update employee consent forms for the use of biometric data as needed.

For travelers needing visas, passports, or other documents before the new digital identity procedures kick in, services like VisaHQ offer real-time guidance and application tools to help individuals and corporate teams navigate the transition. This, according to VisaHQ News, is part of ensuring compliance during the move toward paperless and biometric boarding.

Both the U.S. and Brazilian initiatives are, at their core, about using technology to make travel smoother and safer. The TSA’s proposal, for example, would allow for continuous security vetting, theoretically detecting threats more quickly than periodic checks. Brazil’s plan, meanwhile, could slash the time spent in boarding lines and reduce paperwork, which is especially valuable in a country with vast distances and busy transport hubs.

Yet, as with any leap forward in technology, the devil is in the details. Privacy advocates in both countries are urging regulators to proceed with caution, warning that the collection and retention of sensitive biometric data must come with ironclad protections against misuse or data breaches. In Brazil, the explicit mention of compliance with the LGPD is a nod to these concerns, but the effectiveness of such safeguards will only be tested once the systems are up and running.

There’s also the issue of consent. In the U.S., the TSA’s biometric expansion is tied to a voluntary program, but critics note that as more travelers enroll in PreCheck to avoid long lines, the pressure to share biometric data could become harder to resist. In Brazil, companies are being reminded to update consent forms for employees, highlighting the need for transparency and informed agreement as biometric systems become more widespread.

For now, both countries are inviting public input, with the U.S. consultation period running until March 16 and Brazil’s until February 20. Final regulations in Brazil are expected by mid-2026, with a gradual rollout to follow. In both cases, the coming months will be critical as authorities weigh efficiency and security against privacy and civil liberties.

As the world watches these two giants experiment with biometric boarding, one thing is clear: the future of travel is being shaped right now, in public consultations and pilot programs. Whether these changes will usher in a golden age of seamless journeys or spark new debates over surveillance and personal freedom remains to be seen—but for travelers, the next boarding call might just be a face scan away.